A resident at The Hall Care Home in Thornton Le Dale enjoyed a trip down memory lane when some woolly lambs visited for a cuddle.

Valerie Woodcock, aged 91, previously spent many years caring for sheep as a shepherdess in West Yorkshire and loved looking after the animals she and her husband kept on their farm. 

Valerie said that “her heart skipped a beat” when she held one of the lambs, bringing memories of her time as a shepherdess flooding back.

Valerie and her husband kept Herdwick Sheep, which are normally found in the lake district.

According to The National Trust, Beatrix Potter was committed to their conservation. 

Valerie and her husband’s farm was near Dewsbury, but Valerie says there wasn’t any money in the wool and they used to sell the sheep privately.

All the residents ‘loved’ the visit from the animals.

The lady who arranged the visit works in the care home’s kitchen and a few weeks before she brought in the sheep, she also brought in some puppies. 

The benefits of elderly people caring for animals are well documented, and include reducing feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression and promoting the release of “feel good” chemicals in the brain. 

Holding or stroking animals is said to slow down the heart rate and have a calming effect. 

Nicky Beach, Home Manager at The Hall, said: “It was wonderful to be able to bring back memories of Valerie’s previous life as a shepherdess and to create new memories for all our residents.

“At The Hall we work round the clock to ensure that our residents enjoy every moment they spend with us, living their lives to the full and experiencing new things. 

“Enabling the people in our care to make new memoires as well as reminiscing about their lives is at the heart of what we do.”